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Cadex CB18.50 Price $150 Weight 3.4 lb. Despite its awkward appearance, this tool was my favorite of the test. It operates smoothly and quietly, is relatively compact, and has a feature I love: a built-in air blower. The blower, which is on the front of the housing, is useful for clearing drywall dust and debris when installing base trim. It’s also useful for dusting off tools and cleaning up at the end of the day. This nailer has a solid feel, and its performance was excellent. Its front safety, with a wraparound rubber nose, handled funky angles deftly. The only thing missing is a belt hook. Features air blower, dry-fire lockout, rear exhaust, quick-release nose, swivel air fitting Let the air out. The built-in blower on Cadex’s brad nailer is handy for clearing drywall dust and sawdust from corners and trim. The flow is controlled by a metal trigger you push with your thumb. Bostitch BT1855 Price $80 Weight 2.6 lb. This tool was a pleasant surprise. Despite the excellent reputation of Bostitch nailers, I have never cared for their feel when I’ve used them in the past. This tool quickly won me over, though. It left even in the har demonstrated power, and wa to shoot 21⁄8-in nails. It is also oilless model, which many carpenters wh work primarily with stain-grad materials prefe Its very small f safety provided excellent visibil the tool was ha engaged at od Features dry-fire lockout, rear exhaust, belt hook with pencil sharpener, swivel air fitting www.finehomebuilding.com Makita AF505 84 3.2 lb. feels ke a costs Cadex CB1 adex CB18.50 Pri adex CB18.50 Price $150 Weight 3.4 lb. Despite its awkward appearance, this tool was my favorite of the test. It operates smoothly and quietly, is relatively compact, and has a feature I love: a built-in air blower. The blower, which is on the front of the housing, is useful for clearing drywall dust and debris when installing base trim. It’s also useful for dusting off tools and cleaning up at the end of the day. This nailer has a solid feel, and its performance was excellent. Its front safety, with a wraparound rubber nose, handled funky angles deftly. The only thing missing is a belt hook. Features air blower, dry-fire lockout, rear exhaust, quick-release nose, swivel air fitting Let the air out. The built-in blower on Cadex’s brad nailer is handy for clearing drywall dust and sawdust from corners and trim. The flow is controlled by a metal trigger you push with your thumb. Bostitch BT1855 Price $80 Weight 2.6 lb. This tool was a pleasant surprise. Despite the excellent reputation of Bostitch nailers, I have never cared for their feel when I’ve used them in the past. This tool quickly won me over, though. It left even in the har demonstrated power, and wa to shoot 21⁄8-in nails. It is also oilless model, which many carpenters wh work primarily with stain-grad materials prefe Its very small f safety provided excellent visibil the tool was ha engaged at od Features dry-fire lockout, rear exhaust, belt hook with pencil sharpener, swivel air fitting www.finehomebuilding.com Makita AF505 84 3.2 lb. feels ke a costs B B belt has a pencil sharp it holds the hex wren for clearing jams and repairs. No tools are required for mounting the hook, which fits on either side of the nailer. g about the azine ny of the quiet ly heavy. capable ts chunky dry-fire m being Red means stop. The Makita doesn’t have a dryfire lockout, but it does have red indicators that show when the magazine is empty. addition, can fall you open can see it o a pile 18.50 Price $150 Weight 3.4 lb. Despite its awkward appearance, this tool was my favorite of the test. It operates smoothly and quietly, is relatively compact, and has a feature I love: a built-in air blower. The blower, which is on the front of the housing, is useful for clearing drywall dust and debris when installing base trim. It’s also useful for dusting off tools and cleaning up at the end of the day. This nailer has a solid feel, and its performance was excellent. Its front safety, with a wraparound rubber nose, handled funky angles deftly. The only thing missing is a belt hook. Features air blower, dry-fire lockout, rear exhaust, quick-release nose, swivel air fitting Let the air out. The built-in blower on Cadex’s brad nailer is handy for clearing drywall dust and sawdust from corners and trim. The flow is controlled by a metal trigger you push with your thumb. Bostitch BT1855 Price $80 Weight 2.6 lb. This tool was a pleasant surprise. Despite the excellent reputation of Bostitch nailers, I have never cared for their feel when I’ve used them in the past. This tool quickly won me over, though. It left even in the har demonstrated power, and wa to shoot 21⁄8-in nails. It is also oilless model, which many carpenters wh work primarily with stain-grad materials prefe Its very small f safety provided excellent visibil the tool was ha engaged at od Features dry-fire lockout, rear exhaust, belt hook with pencil sharpener, swivel air fitting www.finehomebuilding.com Makita AF505 84 3.2 lb. feels ke a costs B belt has a pencil sharp it holds the hex wren for clearing jams and repairs. No tools are required for mounting the hook, which fits on either side of the nailer. g about the azine ny of the quiet ly heavy. capable ts chunky dry-fire m being Red means stop. The Makita doesn’t have a dry- fire lockout, but it does have red indicators that show when the magazine is empty. addition, can fall you open can see it o a pile exhaust, exhaust, belt hook, quick-release nose AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 55